2024 Benjamin Leroux Pommard 1er Cru "Rugiens-Hauts", Burgundy, France

ABOUT THE WINE

The 2024 Pommard 1er Cru "Rugiens-Hauts" is sourced from the upper section of the legendary Rugiens vineyard, widely regarded as one of the finest terroirs in Pommard. Rich in iron-tinged clay over fractured limestone, the site consistently produces wines of exceptional concentration, structure, and longevity while maintaining remarkable elegance and aromatic lift.

The bouquet is intensely expressive, opening with aromas of black cherry, wild raspberry, blackberry, and red currant layered with violets, rose petals, crushed rock, licorice, warm baking spices, and hints of forest floor and graphite. On the palate, the wine combines impressive power with remarkable finesse. Dense yet finely detailed fruit is framed by firm, velvety tannins and vibrant acidity, while the vineyard's mineral character brings tension and precision throughout the long, persistent finish.

Benjamin Leroux harvests the fruit by hand and rigorously sorts each cluster before fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Gentle extraction preserves purity and elegance despite the vineyard's naturally robust structure, while maturation in French oak barrels, using only a restrained proportion of new oak, adds complexity without overshadowing the terroir. Minimal intervention during élevage allows the distinctive personality of Rugiens-Hauts to emerge with clarity and authenticity.

Although approachable after careful decanting, this is a cellar-worthy Premier Cru capable of evolving gracefully for 15–25 years, developing extraordinary complexity, aromatic nuance, and silky refinement with age.

Food Pairing: Ideal with roasted venison, dry-aged beef, duck breast, braised short ribs, game birds, wild mushroom dishes, black truffle, or aged Alpine cheeses.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Benjamin Leroux is widely regarded as one of Burgundy's foremost contemporary winemakers. After serving as régisseur at Comte Armand, he established his own domaine and négociant house in 2007, earning international acclaim for wines that faithfully express the individuality of Burgundy's greatest vineyards.

Leroux works closely with sustainably farmed vineyard sites and trusted grower partners, emphasizing meticulous viticulture, low yields, and careful harvesting. In the cellar, he favors indigenous yeast fermentations, gentle extraction, restrained use of French oak, and minimal intervention, allowing each terroir to reveal its unique identity with purity and precision.

His wines are celebrated for their elegance, balance, and transparency, seamlessly marrying classical Burgundian tradition with modern refinement. The Pommard 1er Cru "Rugiens-Hauts" stands among his most compelling bottlings, capturing the vineyard's legendary depth, structure, mineral intensity, and exceptional capacity for long-term aging.